Pleural cavity drainage device

Abstract

A device useful for draining fluid from the pleural cavity of a patient includes two enclosed chambers. The first chamber has at its upper end a one-way directional valve. The valve, which is provided with a connector for connection with a catheter draining fluid from the patient's pleural cavity, operates only to allow fluid to flow into the first chamber. The lower end of the first chamber, which is releasably connected to the second chamber, is optionally provided with a second one-way directional valve that operates only to allow fluid to flow from the first chamber into the second chamber. The second enclosed chamber of the device of the invention has an upper end and a closed lower end. The upper end of the second chamber is releasably connected to the lower end of the first chamber to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection. The device is provided with an outlet to the ambient atmosphere; the outlet can be disposed in either the first or the second enclosed chamber.

What is claimed:  
     
       1. A device for providing drainage of fluid from the pleural cavity of a patient, said device comprising: 
       a first and a second enclosed chamber and an outlet to the ambient atmosphere from either said first or said second enclosed chamber;  
       said first enclosed chamber having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end comprising a first one-way directional valve provided with a connector for connecting said valve to a catheter for draining fluid from the pleural cavity of the patient, said first one-way directional valve operating only to allow fluid to flow into said first chamber, said lower end comprising means for releasably connecting said first chamber to said second chamber;  
       said second enclosed chamber having an upper end and a closed lower end, said upper end comprising means for releasably connecting said second chamber to said first chamber;  
       whereby said first chamber is connectable to said second chamber by said connecting means to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection.  
     
     
       2. The device of claim  1  wherein said outlet to the ambient atmosphere is included in said first enclosed chamber. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim  1  wherein said outlet to the ambient atmosphere is included in said second enclosed chamber. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim  1  wherein said lower end of said first chamber further comprises a second one-way directional valve operating only to allow fluid to flow from said first chamber into said second chamber. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim  1  wherein said connecting means of said first and second chambers are selected from the group consisting of screw threads, clasps, and friction-adherable surfaces. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim  1  wherein said first and second chambers each has a circular cross-section of substantially equal diameter. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim  6  wherein said connecting means of said first and second chambers comprise screw threads. 
     
     
       8. The device of claim  1  wherein said first one-way directional valve is a flutter valve. 
     
     
       9. The device of claim  4  wherein said second valve is a check valve. 
     
     
       10. The device of claim  1  wherein said first and second chambers each comprises a rigid plastic material. 
     
     
       11. The device of claim  10  wherein said rigid plastic material is transparent or translucent. 
     
     
       12. The device of claim  2  wherein said outlet to the ambient atmosphere comprises a tube extending into said first chamber. 
     
     
       13. The device of claim  3  wherein said outlet to the ambient atmosphere comprises a tube extending into said second chamber. 
     
     
       14. The device of claim  1  wherein said connector for connecting said first valve to a catheter comprises a tapered tip. 
     
     
       15. The device of claim  14  wherein said tapered tip has a transversely corrugated surface.